An Unexpected Love (Complicated Love Series #2) (10 page)

Oh no! What is Karl doing here? And in Los Angeles no less? I’m completely speechless and I look stupid standing here with my mouth hanging open. Brandon wraps his arm around me and places his hand on my hip.

“Karl, this is my girlfriend, Tracy…Tracy, this is my stepbrother, Karl, and his date?” He looks to the woman who I imagine Brandon hasn’t met before.

“This is Katrina…my date for this evening.” Katrina latches onto Karl’s arm. I can’t look away from Karl, and it seems he can’t stop looking at me either. There’s an awkward moment when no one moves, and we must look strange standing around the table. Brandon breaks the silence.

“It’s nice to meet you, Katrina.” He steps around me and Karl and kisses her on the cheek before helping her into her seat. Karl finally breaks eye contact and sits down, but I’m still frozen to the spot. I’m still in shock from hearing Brandon call Karl his stepbrother.
What am I going to do?
I can’t sit here across from Karl and act like everything is fine, and why did he have to turn up looking absolutely delicious? Brandon places his hand on my shoulder and I’m jerked back to the present. He motions for me to sit, but I need some time to compose myself.

“I…um…excuse me.” I rush to the restroom and lock myself inside a toilet cubicle, taking a seat on the toilet seat and placing my head in my hands.
Why is this happening to me?
I can’t believe he’s here in Los Angeles. I feel sick to my stomach, and I’m shaking all over. I don’t know why he affects me so much after so long. I think it’s the fact I didn’t expect to see him, and now, I’m not sure what to even say to him.

I can’t keeping sitting here all night, so I unlock the door and compose myself in the mirror before holding my head up high and walking back to the table. When I arrive, it seems everyone is getting along well, and I feel kind of like the odd one out. Brandon spots me and smiles before getting up and helping me into my seat. I pick up the menu and browse the options while I listen to Brandon telling Karl about the tourist attractions he should see while he’s here. I take a quick glance at Katrina and notice she’s using a knife to check out her hair. She keeps fluffy it with her fingers. I roll my eyes and watch as she puts her elbow on the table and places her head in her hand. She looks really bored.

The waitress comes over and asks us what we would like to drink. Brandon orders another bottle of wine, but Katrina whines that she wants a sweet fruity cocktail. So Karl orders her a cocktail I’ve never heard of before. I still haven’t made eye contact with him, and it’s tough when he’s sitting across from me.

“So Karl…remember to stop by the magazine so I can go over that job I was telling you about.” I look up in shock that Karl might be working with him. Is he moving to Los Angeles? What about his business?

“Yeah, bro, I have no idea what the job is but I will definitely stop by.”

“I think it might be something you’ll enjoy and completely different to what you’ve previously done.”

“Thanks bro…that’s awesome.” The waitress comes back over with our drinks and asks us if we’re ready to order. Brandon orders butter poached lobster with wild mushrooms and Karl doesn’t hesitate in agreeing to the same. I wrinkle my nose at their choice because I’m not keen on lobster and it doesn’t sound very pleasant. I order prime beef tenderloin that comes with potatoes and vegetables. It sounds absolutely delicious, and I’m nervous that I’m going to start drooling right here at the table. I roll my eyes when Katrina orders the garden salad. The waitress asks her if she wants to add chicken, but she looks at her in disgust before shaking her head. I have a feeling I’m not going to like this lady…at all. Brandon pours me some more wine and I must look like an alcoholic with the way I’m drinking it down so quickly. It’s the only thing keeping me sane at the moment.

“So Karl, how are you liking your first few days in Los Angeles?” Brandon asks. Karl smiles that adorable smile that makes me feel like a warm puddle of liquid.

“Yeah, it’s been really great, but I haven’t been here long enough to do that much really.” He pours himself a glass of wine and takes a sip. “I’m looking for someone to be my tour guide?” He looks at me and I try not to look back while I’m playing with my glass.

“I can show you around, baby,” Katrina whines beside him while leaning into Karl. I look up to see Karl smiling at her when he replies, “That would be awesome, darling.” He places a quick kiss to her lips.

Why do I feel angry all of a suddenly?

The meal arrives and there’s a lot of talk between Brandon and Karl about the magazine. Katrina and I sit in silence while eating our meals and drinking plenty of wine. I feel slightly buzzed and more relaxed than when I first saw Karl. After everyone has finished, we all decide not to have dessert. I excuse myself to go to the restroom again, I haven’t spoken to Karl much and I’m hoping that I can get out of here before that happens.

Unlucky for me Karl has other ideas. When I walk out of the restroom, Karl is waiting for me. He grabs my arm and drags me around the corner away from where Katrina and Brandon are sitting at the table.

“What are you doing, Karl?” I whisper.

“I wanted to talk to you in private. Look, I didn’t know you would be here, I didn’t even know you were dating my brother.”

He looks exquisite up close and he smells fantastic.

“I didn’t know either okay? I never thought I would be sitting here, in Los Angeles having dinner with you and your step brother who I happen to be dating!” I suddenly shut up when I see the way he’s looking at me.

“You’re looking beautiful, Tracy.” My breath is staggered and I see his eyes are full of desire.

“Thank you,” I whisper. He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear and grazes my cheek.

What am I doing?
This guy left me after we had sex at Annabelle and Joshua’s reception! I went through my miscarriage all by myself. I should really hate him! I pull away and take a step back from him.

“Don’t touch me.” I glare at him as he holds up his hands.

“Whoa, calm down, beautiful.” He smiles and it makes me feel worse.

“Don’t you dare call me, beautiful” His smile falls from his lips and he frowns at me. “My name is Tracy, you asshole!”

“What the hell is your problem? I haven’t seen you in five years and you’re acting insane.”

Is he for real?

He’s acting like he doesn’t know why I would be mad?

“Oh, forget it, Karl.” I go to walk away, but he grabs my arm and pulls me to a stop. I can’t look at him, so I look away.

“Okay, I’m sorry. I know why you’re mad and upset, but it was five years ago for Christ sake. We had sex, so what?”

I snap my head around to stare at him with my mouth hanging open. I can’t believe he’s just said that to me. Well, at least now I know it meant nothing to him.

“I’m not upset…I’m angry that you just waltz in here acting all…you…” I don’t even know what I’m saying and he looks confused. I sigh. “Look, I never expected to see you again, okay? It was just a shock…I’m sorry.” He lets go of my arm and smiles.

“So….” He puts his hands in his pockets and tilts his head at me. “You and Brandon, hey? How long have you been together?”

“About just over a year.” He nods his head. “You and Katrina…are you…?” Karl laughs a deep belly laugh.

“No, no, no, I’ve only just met her and it’s nothing like that.”

I smile and suddenly feel better. I do not understand my feelings at all, at the moment.

“I think we better get back. I’m sure Brandon will be wondering where you’ve gotten to.” I turn to leave and I feel Karl behind me, his breath on my ear.

“Wouldn’t want him thinking that I’m trying to steal you away from him.” I shudder and quickly walk back to the table without waiting for Karl or even knowing if he’s behind me. Katrina looks utterly bored while Brandon rattles on and on. He spots me and stands up.

“There you are! I thought you’d gotten lost.”

“Sorry, I…uh…I’m not feeling too well. Do you mind if we go?” Brandon looks concerned, so he quickly gets up and is at my side instantly.

“I’ll see you later, bro. I’m going to take Tracy home.”

I have to be polite, so after Brandon says goodbye to Katrina, I tell her it was lovely to meet her before facing Karl.

“Bye Karl, it was nice to meet you too.” I don’t know why I haven’t said to Brandon that I know his stepbrother, I just want to leave now.

“It was a pleasure, Tracy.” He winks at me while Brandon escorts me toward the exit. Before we’ve made it very far, I hear Karl call out to Brandon.

“Don’t wait up, bro. I have a beautiful girl here to entertain.” I glance around to see Karl kiss Katrina on the lips. My eyes suddenly become teary and I get a funny feeling in my stomach. I’m so glad that I’m out of there and away from Karl.

Brandon drives me home gives me a peck on the lips before driving away. All I want to do tonight is to climb into my comfy bed and forget all about this evening, or the fact that Karl Stanford is back in my life whether I like it or not.

I never expected to see Tracy sitting there beside Brandon. She was absolutely stunning and has only gotten more beautiful through the years. She looked shocked to see me too, but she composed herself fairly quickly before running off to the restroom. Katrina sat there bored while Brandon and I created small talk. We’ve never been close because we didn’t grow up together, and apart from that we have completely different personalities. We talk on the phone occasionally, but we’re not really good with the small talk. So sitting there talking to Brandon about anything and everything was slightly awkward.

Brandon asked Katrina a few questions, but she only gave one worded answers which were starting to bug me. I don’t know why she agreed to come if she didn’t want to. When Tracy returned to the table, it still seemed awkward, but not as bad as Brandon and me talking. I caught Tracy rolling her eyes when Katrina ordered a salad for dinner. I had to stop myself from laughing seeing Tracy’s expression. It was adorable. Everything she did was adorable, and I couldn’t stop staring at her all evening. I’m surprised Brandon never realized.

I found it amusing that she wouldn’t look at me, and she kept playing with her glass. She had quite a bit of wine before we’d even begun eating, and it showed. She was incredibly nervous being there. When Tracy excused herself to go to the restroom after we’d finished our meals, I had to speak to her. She hadn’t spoken to me all night and I hated it so I waited outside the restroom for her, and when she came out, I grabbed her to talk. The conversation didn’t exactly go as planned. She makes me so nervous and, to be honest, she always has even five years ago when we first met. Calling her beautiful was probably not my finest hour, because that seemed to be the trigger that set her off. She’s still upset about what happened between us. I haven’t seen or spoken to her for years, but I couldn’t believe that she still cared about what happened and about the fact that I left without saying goodbye.

When she started getting angry and yelling at me, I couldn’t help but think how sexy she was. My God, my pants got a little tight when she stood in front of me with that angry voice. I’m mad at myself for being so easy going about it, and sounding as if I didn’t care about what had happened. I was nervous about what I wanted to say or even about what she was going to say to me. I’m sort of giddy inside that she cares so much to be mad at me for this long.

When we returned to the table, the jealous bug reared its ugly head. I’ve never been jealous in my life, so this feeling is very foreign to me. I was jealous that Tracy was going home with Brandon. Nothing is going to happen as Brandon said he would see me later, but I didn’t like the way he wrapped her in his arms and lead her out of the restaurant.

Then I did the most stupid thing ever. I could have slapped myself into the middle of next week when I shouted that comment out to Brandon about not waiting up. Katrina had stood up and was collecting her things when I grabbed her and stuck my tongue down her throat. I don’t even know why I did something so stupid. Tracy drives me insane, and I just wanted to make her jealous or something. After I had broken away from Katrina, I grabbed her hand and we made our way outside to wait for Katrina’s car to be brought out the front.

It was a quiet drive back to Katrina’s. I had no idea what to say to her and, to be honest, she’s the first woman I’ve gone out with twice in a row. All I could think about was Tracy. Seeing her again has frazzled me, and I’m not sure what’s happening to me. Katrina parked the car and I dragged her up to her apartment, and before she had even closed the door, I crushed my lips to hers. I weaved my hands up into her hair and gave it a pull. She moaned and I pulled her closer.

It wasn’t working, Tracy was still on my mind. Katrina ran her hands up my chest and started to unbutton my shirt. I shut my eyes tight and tried to get into the moment, but images started appearing in my head of me and Tracy, naked, and together. I abruptly pulled away and told her I couldn’t do it. I apologized and hightailed it out of her apartment.

This is how I got here, walking down the street alone. I spot someone getting out of a taxi so I quickly rush over and slide in the back. I give the driver Brandon’s address before relaxing back and thinking about her again. That beautiful smile she has when she actually smiles. Her gorgeous blonde hair that feels so silky and soft when I run it through my fingers. The images I have in my head of that one night with her make me so hard that I’m going to need a cold shower.

Arriving at Brandon’s apartment, I make my way to the door and hunt around for the key he gave me before going in. It’s pitch black inside the apartment, so Brandon mustn’t be back yet. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and strip down to take an icy cold shower. It’s the longest cold shower of my life and I’m still not feeling any better. Maybe I should have just fucked Katrina when I had the chance back at her apartment, it might have made me feel better. I change into a pair of black boxers and lay down on the bed staring at the ceiling.

I can’t believe she was there right in front of me. I’ve tried to get her out of my mind but seeing her again has brought all those old feelings back that I tried to bury all those years ago. I’m not sure whether I’m strong enough this time to ignore these feelings.

I hear the apartment door slam and I suddenly wake, I must have drifted off. I look over at the clock and see it’s just after 3:00 a.m.
Brandon’s back this late?
I have a sick feeling in my stomach and I’m not sure whether I like what I’m thinking.
He’s been with Tracy all this time?
I know he’s her boyfriend, but the jealousy is rearing its ugly head. I hear Brandon go into his room and the shower turns on. I can’t stand to think that she’s been in bed with him. It makes my skin crawl. I turn over and close my eyes and try to forget everything about Tracy-freaking-Campbell.